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R-E-S-P-E-C-T from a custom 1990 Mazda pickup truck

It's All About How You Represent

Mini Truckin', May 01, 2003

About seven years ago at one of the very first shows I went to, I came across a mini-trucker from Canada. His name was Devin Morgan. He had a great passion for mini-trucks, even back then. The truck he had, a raspberry-hued Mazda was clean, but it lacked the visual punch needed to score a photo shoot and a feature.

Throughout the years, Devin has slowly refined that daily driven clean ride of his, polishing it into a prime example of top-shelf show machinery. Today, that same Mazda has become the finest mini to be found anywhere in British Columbia, along the western province of Canada, if not even further south into the northernmost parts of the United States.

As it turned out, Devin's main goal along the way was to help mini-trucks gain the respect of our forebears, also known as street rodders. For the full interview, go pick up this month's issue of Mini TRuckin' magazine on a newsstand near you!

Suspension: Front: 6-inch hydraulic cylinders with stainless lines. Rear: 8-inch hydraulic cylinders with stainless lines, lifting the truck via a T.C.I. triangulated four-link into a 6-inch bridge-notch. Additionally, the suspension system is powered by a three-battery, two-pump hydraulic system installed by Devin.

Body Mods: The truck's buildup included body-dropping it a total of 3 inches, cutting off the roof, and chopping the windshield pillars 4 inches and installing a Lexan windshield. Besides these major modifications, the truck was also completely shaved, including: rain gutters, wiper cowl, antenna, emblems, corner lights, lower fenders, door handles, door locks, gas door, rock guards, taillights, capped doors, pinch moldings, and all body seams. Devin and WesWorks even went as far as to smooth the underside of the cab. The inside of the bed is truly a work of art, with plenty of custom sheetmetal surrounding the rear seats, a pair of access doors get to the suspension, and batteries for the hydraulic system simple. Additionally, the truck was given custom taillights and a molded-in third brake light, as well as a smoothed hood underside and a smoothed and tubbed firewall.

Interior: The interior of the truck includes a re-worked Mustang dash, wrapped in tweed, with a matching center console installed by Devin. Buckets & Benches in Colwood, British Columbia, reupholstered the rest of the interior using cream leather and tweed for a truly street rod-inspired look over the top of handmade seats built by Perry Cosgrove. Because the top of the truck has been permanently removed, the interior was made safer with the installation of a roll bar assembly entirely built by Devin. The truck's owner made all of the aluminum interior parts found within the upholstered area of the truck as well.

Paint: Wes McLean at WesWorks in Campbell River, British Columbia, performed the final bodywork on the Mazda and sprayed the truck using factory '02 Subaru WRX Dupont Blue.

Engine: The '90 2.2L Mazda four-cylinder was left stock internally, but given a Weber carburetor, Jacobs plug wires, and a Pacesetter header for added performance. Devin worked hard to make it a show-winner externally. Show-readiness was achieved by smoothing the transmission and painting it silver, painting the block to match the truck, and adding custom touches such as ghosted airbrushing to the oil pan and oil filter. The truck's exhaust system is made from 2-1/2-inch tubing with a Magnaflow stainless muffler.

Detailing: The truck was built as a total frame-off. Everything that could be unbolted was either powdercoated or chromed and reassembled in true full-show fashion. The frame was also shaved to make it totally smooth and to get rid of all unneeded holes for an incredible show-winning finish.